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Day 2 in Bangkok, we decided to go pay our respects at one of the many temples in this predominantly Buddhist country. We ended up at Wat Pho, one of Thailand's oldest and largest temples, also known as Temple of the Reclining Buddha.

Photo descriptions:Top Right: Lighting incense before praying to Buddha (or my version of the universe/divine spirit) and to my ancestors (mainly my grandparents). Below it: Shoes must be removed before entering any temple as a sign of respect. In most Asian households, people remove their shoes by the front door before walking through the rest of the house. I think that's just so you don't dirty the floors or carpet with whatever muck your shoes have picked up throughout the day.Bottom Right: Lotus flowers. Purchased for a minimal amount along with the incense, candle, and gold leaf (Bottom Middle image) as an offering to Buddha or worldly spirit(s). Bottom Left: After praying, you take the little gold leaf that came with your incense and candle and place it on one of these Buddhas.

Me in the midst of offering a lotus flower after prayer. You have to dress appropriately when in the temple (arms, feet, and of course head showing is ok). I saw a girl being escorted out because she walked in wearing a tube top. Really girl, what were you thinking?

Though not related to Buddhism, I wanted to share this image of a spirit house, which was located on the corner of our hotel property in Bangkok. Most Thai properties (homes and businesses) have a spirit house placed outside to placate the animist spirits so that they won't bother the people living inside the house. The larger your house, the larger the spirit house must be.